antiquepatternlibrary.org
 

I just found out about this website and thought I'd share. They have patterns from as far back as the 1880's. And for several different techniques (crochet, knitting, beading, etc.)

What a fascinating site. Thanks very much for posting the link.

Yeah, I found this a while back and posted a link to the site here, too. (Of course, there's lots of new folks, so another post with another link is always good).

I really enjoyed looking at all the crochet patterns, and it inspired me to make boudoir caps for several friends (http://www.knittinghelp.com/forum/sh...hlight=boudoir).

Have you found anything you'd like to make yet?

Only took a glance at it, but it looks fascinating. Thanks!

I spent lots of hours looking through all the crochet books--a definite time drainer (for me anyway).

I found it fascinating to see what people wore during those time periods and not just the outer clothes either. Okay, I think I'd better stop there lest I get myself in hot water. I'll just say that some of those nightgowns are amazing--the detail work that went into them is mind-boggling! Obviously some people (and it wasn't the pioneers) had some time on their hands.

One of these days I'm going to try Irish crochet, but I intend to simplify my designs quite a bit and make them a lot less cluttered and gaudy looking!